Disclaimer: This site is intended for interest and recreational purposes only. Do not transmit on any of the listed frequencies unless properly licenced to do so. Site under construction.
IT IS ILLEGAL TO MONITOR ANY TELEPHONE CONVERSATION AS STATED BY VARIOUS TELEPHONE AND RADIO COMMUNICATIONS LAWS FOR AUSTRALIA.
Use of HF Marine Frequencies
All HF marine frequencies are generally Upper Sideband. You will need an SSB reciever, or a BFO on your AM reciever, to recieve USB.
As a result of changes agreed internationally, use of carrier frequencies 12290 and 16420 kHz for calling purposes ceased from 1 January 2004. These frequencies are now used only for distress, urgency and safety purposes. The carrier frequencies 12359 and 16637 kHz can be used for calling on a simplex basis, provided that the peak power envelope does not exceed 1 kW.
AIS (also known as 'Automatic Identification System') is a ship identification and surveillance system that generates digital messages sent from ship stations on AIS frequencies (161.975 MHz and 162.025 MHz) to provide identification and heading information to other ship or coastal stations. The AIS frequencies are only to be used for AIS purposes.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has the responsibility for the introduction of AIS into Australia. All applications for the use of AIS frequencies by Australian coast stations must first be referred to AMSA. Application forms relating to the use of AIS frequencies for coast stations can be found on the AMSA web site.
Maritime Communication Stations
On 1 July 2002, Television New Zealand (TVNZ(A)) took over from Telstra as GMDSS watchkeeping provider for the Australian Search and Rescue Region. The TVNZ(A) stations are called Maritime Communication Stations. Maritime Communication Stations provide the following services to vessels:
search and rescue (SAR) operations in conjunction with the Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) in Canberra (RCC Australia);
continuous automated watch of HF digital selective calling (DSC) frequencies for distress calls relating to safety of life at sea; and
weather forecasts and warnings for coastal waters and high seas areas are issued by the Bureau of Meteorology. These are transmitted automatically. The frequencies used for the transmission of these broadcasts are not monitored for other transmissions.
'Coast Radio' Stations
HF Stations
The States and Northern Territory marine authorities have set up a series of 'Coast Radio' Stations that provide high frequency (HF) aural watchkeeping services. These services are provided through a network of nine HF stations located at Perth, Port Hedland, Darwin, Cairns, Gladstone, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Hobart.
HF radio distress and safety services will be provided by the stations to all coastal areas throughout Australia with coverage extending up to 200 nautical miles seaward. Stations maintain 24 hour listening watches on 4125 kHz, 6215 kHz and 8291 kHz for distress and safety situations. It is important to restrict radio traffic on these frequencies to distress, safety and urgency calls.
The 'Coast Radio' Stations will also broadcast navigation warnings on 8176 kHz.
VHF Stations
The States and Northern Territory marine authorities have also set up very high frequency (VHF) stations in certain areas of Australia. These stations provide VHF radio distress and safety services including 24 hour monitoring of VHF Channel 16 for distress, urgency and safety traffic and the regular broadcast of weather information on VHF Channel 67.
http://www.aca.gov.au/radcomm/marine_radio/about_marine_radio/#Whats%20New%20in%20marine%20radio-%201%20January%202004, 29 October, 2004